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Skew-T diagram logo from Bethel, AK

#2 Bethel, Alaska

CAPE:

 Weak: The low level lapse rates look good.

Deep Layer Shear:

 Decent: 0-6 km shear of 20-25 knots, all easterly.

Mid-level Lapse Rates:

 Weak: they are less than moist adiabatic above -10 C.

Freezing Level:

 5.7 kft

Overall Threat of Severe Hail:

 None: with this sounding it would be tough to get severe hail, with low CAPE and shear, and mid-level lapse rates very weak. However, the sounding is very cold aloft (5.7 kft freezing level) and non-severe hail is certainly not out of the question.

Summary of the Event:

Date of Sounding: 16 June 2004 @ 00 UTC
Hail and severe weather indeed occurs in Alaska. Because of the great expanse of Alaska and very low population density, the supercell that formed in this environment did not produce any reported severe weather. However, it had a well-defined BWER, 75 dBZ hail core, and good mesocyclone.

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